tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63481637075407874092024-03-12T18:27:36.397-05:00Diane Gaudynski "A New Tradition in Quilting"Embracing the old, exploring the newDiane Gaudynskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15164789327167957184noreply@blogger.comBlogger184125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348163707540787409.post-30129033232593659252021-11-06T15:16:00.000-05:002021-11-06T15:16:03.392-05:00Vintage Fabrics<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHgZZwKiZRrHe29zc1zVWEanUoz58tBI_yd1KeCYEC04lga2Ac-oNgYYdd-ii79aVxzHANOP2ybSPzgAfWax83FtFL5IpYzIrbHrXiH8gTD464_A1xKpqreki5AFJzF1VlEerpghZBcdo/s2048/alz+quilt+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1938" data-original-width="2048" height="417" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHgZZwKiZRrHe29zc1zVWEanUoz58tBI_yd1KeCYEC04lga2Ac-oNgYYdd-ii79aVxzHANOP2ybSPzgAfWax83FtFL5IpYzIrbHrXiH8gTD464_A1xKpqreki5AFJzF1VlEerpghZBcdo/w441-h417/alz+quilt+%25282%2529.jpg" width="441" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i>"Edged in Black" by Audrey Arno, 7" x 7"</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%;">Hello from a long-absent quilter! It is autumn in Wisconsin, Oliver is sleeping
near me, now 12 and sweeter than ever.
<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%;">I admit to being a bit surprised that this blog is still online, gosh.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%;">Alas these past few years I have not been able to
quilt due to a variety of "perfect storm" events, but this past
summer I have been sorting through so many saved fabrics, books, quilts,
magazines, letters, ribbons, business cards, oh my....several rooms of things
to go through, air out, read, save or discard. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%;">I've found many interesting items I had
forgotten about, articles or photos I liked and then realized they were mine
(ha!), and ended up thinking it might be a good thing to start blogging and
share few of my thoughts and photos again. They reminded me of friends, quilters, so many
experiences over the years, like vintage fabrics that are re-discovered and
more beautiful than ever.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%;">I’ll begin with the little quilt, above, rolled
up in a packet of small treasures I had put away for safekeeping and forgotten. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%;"><b><i>“Edged in Black” </i></b>by Audrey Arno from Tulsa, OK,
was from a collection of "little" quilts made for sale to support Ami
Simms' Alzheimers project, raising money for research. They were displayed and sold at one of the big quilt
shows I attended and this one spoke to me, a wonderful mélange of vintage fabrics,
beautifully designed and pieced. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%;">When I held this quilt yesterday the idea that sprang to mind was to make small
projects with some of your fabrics you have saved or put aside because they are
so special. Don’t simply store fabric, instead make something small and easily completed, and enjoy it, donate it, gift it to
another quilter who would love it. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%;">It needn’t use vintage fabrics although some of
my very first new fabric purchases are probably now old enough to be classified
as antique….! It can be from your
special collections of batiks, or hand dyed, or conversational prints, blue and
white fabrics, whatever. Someone would
love it and a small piece can be framed for display or added to a small area in
a house. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%;">Recently I watched a news story about the container ships backed up and no merchandise to buy for Christmas, oh no. What happened to making something from what
you already have? Or doing something
special for someone? Or give a day helping a
relative with things to do around the house?
We don’t need any more things in the house, but of course a small
handmade gift would be welcomed with happy delight.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%;">Below are photos of just that, a small quilt pieced
from an old very worn tied quilt that my mother’s grandmother had made from fabrics
in the early 1900’s. My mother made a
label so it is documented nicely, and I treasure this little quilt especially since
my mother has been gone now for some years.
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p></div><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Diane Gaudynskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15164789327167957184noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348163707540787409.post-58740523669522408662017-02-05T14:18:00.000-06:002017-02-05T18:17:29.609-06:00"The Grid Design Workbook"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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For all of us machine quilters who are looking for some new ideas for quilting designs, this is a wonderful new book by Cindy Seitz-Krug, an award winning quilter and teacher who uses her home machine for quilting, published by <a href="http://www.americanquilter.com/">AQS</a>.</div>
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What is great about this book and a bit different is how effortlessly the "workbook" idea leads you through all kinds of lovely designs, shows you how to break them down into simple do-able elements that are controlled by a marked grid. Sometimes in the end you see the grid, others times only curvy lines and designs that make the viewer ask "how in the world was that done???"</div>
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Below, details of Cindy's quilting:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpf-n6MERg-00_AvKD6im8tFKAD2h18A_WA6OPihF7Hie5kPUA_AiQ6yL8lh3Zcad45DkXjwDE8sHrU-ME12JH3lG3i5JGqwcfN2ax_EvaLvpFcS-Q6mhoh82HCQQMf22lromP4hjOocI/s1600/csk1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpf-n6MERg-00_AvKD6im8tFKAD2h18A_WA6OPihF7Hie5kPUA_AiQ6yL8lh3Zcad45DkXjwDE8sHrU-ME12JH3lG3i5JGqwcfN2ax_EvaLvpFcS-Q6mhoh82HCQQMf22lromP4hjOocI/s400/csk1.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The designs are great, but all the options she shows us with size, color of thread, scale of design, where and how to use them really help when trying to figure out what design to use where in a quilt. There are tons of illustrations, diagrams, quilted samples to help you achieve these designs. The workbook idea insures you will be able to start at the beginning, follow along, and get a quilted design by yourself!</div>
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One of the first grid designs I tried years ago when I was looking for a simpler method for a design of overlapping circles was one I called "Diane-shiko" (below) as it was a new way to mark and quilt an old Sashiko design. When the marked lines are removed the circles emerge so it looks as if you quilted circles. This is the basic idea Cindy uses to create all sorts of designs with the grid to guide you.</div>
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Above you can see the 1/2" marked grid, and the stitching around the lines to form this timeless design. Below, the design used in one of my quilts, <b><i>"Shadows of Umbria," </i></b>which Cindy also has featured in her new book.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLty3tFno6F_HMBw1p-r9w5C5VrskAwjWwwrYKb_JHmRM1JcKmTkZjXL2Cn3MOYBZQMphq5A0Jo2p1g7cwXgsgdfzP5-kLMGOQCF_mzMultvn9-xEzd-DYtZi3N6WaodVRqOmgD4QuGuw/s1600/umbriasilkwebc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLty3tFno6F_HMBw1p-r9w5C5VrskAwjWwwrYKb_JHmRM1JcKmTkZjXL2Cn3MOYBZQMphq5A0Jo2p1g7cwXgsgdfzP5-kLMGOQCF_mzMultvn9-xEzd-DYtZi3N6WaodVRqOmgD4QuGuw/s400/umbriasilkwebc.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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A grid design will showcase curvy designs with its formality and regularity. These designs look difficult but many are absolutely beginner level and with some practice you'll be adding many of Cindy's designs, methods, ideas to your own quilts. </div>
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Visit Cindy at her website and blog to find out more: <a href="http://www.quintessentialquilting.com/">www.quintessentialquilting.com</a> </div>
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Below, one more peek at her quilting:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihTAAIHgr9ZJMOaJeqHHm7he-WMCi8WkdhLwAqorCdC1ObseDagYGL_9JTS34qMbnQykWdfow9bbwKWm22laAyJ7CdADexBiRmBgAr-EAj5tNJ5HH0uOj4yVl5_q2a5LOzmCT3UckOxbI/s1600/csk2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihTAAIHgr9ZJMOaJeqHHm7he-WMCi8WkdhLwAqorCdC1ObseDagYGL_9JTS34qMbnQykWdfow9bbwKWm22laAyJ7CdADexBiRmBgAr-EAj5tNJ5HH0uOj4yVl5_q2a5LOzmCT3UckOxbI/s400/csk2.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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If you were in some of my last classes I taught a design called "Ginkgo." In Cindy's quilt above she uses it as fill around larger scale designs. Below is one of my samples of this lovely design, and Cindy includes a much easier way to mark and quilt it called "Twisted Ginkgo" in this new book. It's one of my favorite designs ever in the way it looks, and how much fun it is to quilt.</div>
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I experimented and tried Cindy's method to quilt this design, and it worked perfectly. I'm thrilled she could explain it so well, and the diagrams and photos are exactly what you need so you too can add this design to your skills.</div>
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<i>Congratulations to Cindy on a great book and for her recent award at <a href="http://www.road2ca.com/2017-winners.html">Road to California</a> for Excellence in Machine Quilting for her wholecloth quilt <b>"Blush." </b></i></div>
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Hope winter is giving you lots of time to quilt, and to play with ideas on your sewing machine. </div>
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<b><i>Keep quilting! Your work gets better every day!</i></b></div>
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<b><i>Diane</i></b></div>
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Diane Gaudynskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15164789327167957184noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348163707540787409.post-2946042777458193672017-01-15T13:22:00.000-06:002017-01-15T14:42:16.002-06:00January Cooking<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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January means more time at home, more cooking. I've been re-visiting old favorites, tweaking recipes, trying to get things just right, and eating the trial runs! Finally the blueberry muffins are perfect, tender and yummy, blueberries oozing out on my blue plate, topped with a drizzle of icing. </div>
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I've made artisanal pizza, deconstructed beef stew (incredible!), oatmeal cookies that will fill you up all day long. We are losing weight steadily because I truly believe made from scratch food, real food, is better for you than a diet. Oh, and a bit of moderation, which isn't easy when things taste so good.</div>
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Real French fries! I was moaning and complaining about how I don't even bother ordering them anymore with a meal in a restaurant as they are so generic, or so coated with batter. What's with batter on potatoes anyway???? Mine were easy, fast, crispy and melt-in -your-mouth good. Fresh ground sea salt dusted on them and they disappeared in minutes.</div>
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Pizza, also easy and delicious. It has taken more experimenting than with other recipes, but now I can whip one out quickly and be fairly consistent in quality. Below, one I made over Christmas, note the red/green cutting mats. Fresh ricotta cheese added little pillows of deliciousness.....yum. And fresh spinach for the touch of green! I was out of little fresh grape tomatoes, but usually add those for their sweetness and color.</div>
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Today we'll coast with very easy stuff, some avocados that I'll use for guacamole, as it is Green Bay Packers and the playoff game. Oliver likes football as there tends to be lots of yelling from His People as they watch.</div>
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Thanks for all the comments on Mud, and I know many of you will simply shake your heads and think wow, weird world of color that Diane lives in. Yes, I realize many of you simply hate anything dull or drab or hinting of olive green, but as you dip into your guacamole, consider that lovely color for a quilt! </div>
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Below, Kettle Moraine Star, my first true "mud" quilt, with khaki, the color of men's pants, as the background...................</div>
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<b><i>Keep quilting! Your work gets better every day.....</i></b></div>
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<b><i>Diane</i></b></div>
<br />Diane Gaudynskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15164789327167957184noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348163707540787409.post-37982367075103068452017-01-09T15:48:00.000-06:002017-01-09T15:48:21.163-06:00 Color!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><i>"Through a Glass, Darkly: An American Memory" detail</i></b></div>
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<i style="text-align: left;">On this gloomy damp grey January day I am in need of color! The bright reds are put away after Christmas and softer fresh light colors are around me. Spots of intense blue and lovely yellow really brighten the house and my mood. Color is one of those things for quilters that is very important indeed. </i></div>
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<i>Years ago in 2004 I wrote an article for <b>Quilter's Newsletter Magazine </b>that was part of their series on quilt artists and their take on color and how they used it. At that time I had a lecture titled "Mud, Wonderful Mud!" as well as a class that helped others see drab, dull, muddy shades as vital to a true color balance in many quilts and other art. </i></div>
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<i>In the photo below of a quilting sample done on one of Caryl Bryer Fallert's Benartex fabrics the blue stands out, the surrounding "mud" colors are rich and warm and let the blue steal the show. </i></div>
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<i>I always spoke about these mud colors with tongue-in-cheek as I know for many color is something you don't joke about; favorite colors as well as the ugly colors are absolute. Lines are not crossed. I know quilters who will not allow purple in the house, much less in a quilt.</i></div>
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<i>However, I do believe we can always expand our horizons and perhaps a little "mud" is just what you need for 2017. Forget Avocado Green and Harvest Gold from the 70's; we had an avalanche of those colors in every aspect of our lives, and this really created an aversion to any color resembling these two prime suspects. </i></div>
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<i>But it is a new year, warm lovely colors are perfect in our work, and you might surprise yourself by the result of their inclusion. Below is the article, judiciously edites/updated here and there, and some photos that will help illustrate my points for the use of mud.....</i></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Color as I See It </span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">by Diane Gaudynski</span></i></b></div>
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The azure blue sky, the white marble courthouse with a sea of steps leading down to the sunny street. A beautiful woman in purple running down the steps. Handsome leading man waiting for her at the bottom, arms filled with luscious red roses, dressed in his well-fitted military uniform of deep bronze khaki. Hollywood pulled out all the stops to insure everyone would zero in on the important parts of this scene, punctuated with bright color to draw the eye. However, as I watched, I thought to myself, "what gorgeous khaki in his uniform!"</div>
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<b><i>"Sixteen Baskets of Mud" 1997 </i></b></div>
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<i>I gave in and let myself use army green for the border and lots of mud from my extensive collection for the baskets. Bright "pretty" colors were saved for the top triangles in the baskets. This little quilt set the mud wheels in motion.....and another variation, below, made for a piecing class.</i></div>
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Color and quilting are the two items in a quilt that are immediate and nonnegotiable. Designs may be open to interpretation, patterns come and go, but the color of a quilt is its hallmark.</div>
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We refer to our quilts by their color: my red quilt, the blue and yellow one I made last year. Quilting provides the three-dimensional texture that makes a design seem new and fresh, but it is color that supports the quilting, showcases it, and shouts, "Look at me!"</div>
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<i>Above, some of my quilts in an exhibit in 2010 at the National Quilt Museum, Paducah, KY</i></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">When asked what color I am using in a quilt, I invariably describe it with a word from nature or food: goldenrod rather than yellow/gold; cappuccino rather than tan. Colors that might be overlooked or termed "uglies" have always provided me that delicious, necessary backdrop for the more universally acceptable hues such as red, blue, and purple. The ugly colors that I refer to as "mud" give my quilts their particular signature.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV9XzZk6FavzeWG6UlfSI6yB8jWlXSF46i3BBbpcLgTeD1_kdK1mVCsWYstIshnURAXO6PwfXuV_Jr84YfgzmFx1GHcustwkt8Re7ES7IQ08JnBxF3Lx7eYEcL-tgIS63fNRgnxDQHpKE/s1600/OMc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV9XzZk6FavzeWG6UlfSI6yB8jWlXSF46i3BBbpcLgTeD1_kdK1mVCsWYstIshnURAXO6PwfXuV_Jr84YfgzmFx1GHcustwkt8Re7ES7IQ08JnBxF3Lx7eYEcL-tgIS63fNRgnxDQHpKE/s400/OMc.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><i>"October Morning" 1999</i></b></div>
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<i>A liberal use of rich and warm mud browns, which I described as "chocolate," as well as dark olives and russet colors for the pieced blocks are striking against a cool serene lilac background in this traditional Delectable Mountains quilt.</i></div>
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My natural tendency toward messiness has led me to interesting color discoveries. Once I stepped on a piece of gold fabric after it spilled out of an overturned bin and I left a dusty footprint on it. That gave me the idea of including it with other colors already chosen. Another time, seeing two pieces of fabric unintentionally next to each other in a drawer, looking wonderful together, gave me an idea for a two-color quilt.</div>
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A tidy quilter may have simply re-sorted them and not had the opportunity of seeing an unusual color combination. Be open to the unexpected. Throw fabric around, see where it lands, and discover how strange combinations can look terrific. Look at scraps thrown haphazardly in the wastebasket for inspiration!</div>
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I tend to pick the "off" shades of color. Rather than a pure hue, I look for the slightly skewed version of it--dusty purple instead of clear purple, dark teal instead of turquoise, chartreuse or army green instead of grass green. These colors give a quilt character and let the brighter colors stand out.</div>
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<b><i>"Blossom's Journey" </i></b></div>
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Dark green border and gold, brown plaid, and chartreuse set off the turquoise and bright reds in the fabrics in this 45" square wall quilt. Detail, below.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKTVFc9Azu7HUJZJ5uV-5tIkuIGySbRlLqyypnmaMxIZD3C6XfyehMT_e3TTfZwfY0duJWOXD0aZ4pz9JxfM3zPrr6FWNLz5DqjIsEXZP78Jpm2SNX8_77nZpWx5iTFrphHYhq1L2g_dA/s1600/PRCaC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKTVFc9Azu7HUJZJ5uV-5tIkuIGySbRlLqyypnmaMxIZD3C6XfyehMT_e3TTfZwfY0duJWOXD0aZ4pz9JxfM3zPrr6FWNLz5DqjIsEXZP78Jpm2SNX8_77nZpWx5iTFrphHYhq1L2g_dA/s400/PRCaC.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Although my quilts reflect my love of subdued tones, I also like to include the bright zing of an indigo bunting or the brilliant red of a cardinal. Here in the Midwest, real-life color can be a sea of murky tones interspersed with bright spots of intensity. Brights look more important when surrounded by murk and gloom. The cardinal can be seen from a distance in the brown and grey branches and dead grass here in winter. </div>
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One of my first award-winning quilts caused a sensation in 1996 because the background was light khaki. The local newspaper wrote that the "award winner" used fabric the color of men's pants, of all things, in her winning quilt. The next year the the paper touted me in an interview as "the mud lady."</div>
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Other quilts have come and gone, but all have a bit of dull color included. </div>
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<b><i>"Red Square" Detail</i></b></div>
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I like to give the eye a resting place, provide a warm feeling natural to fiber art, and let the brighter, pure colors come forward, using these "mud" neutrals as a counterweight. Everything from soft gold, cashew, and khaki to the deep browns and greens work for me, providing the necessary mortar of neutrality to hold a quilt design together.</div>
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So much time and effort goes into making a quilt; one of the rewards is admiring our fabric choices as we work. It's an added pleasure having others tell you how much they love them too. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkm73Now_PcoiLJrsyC6hAPc5sQH1MCAEecQuNOEgHho-sG9K-ohq0D0MvCqz9uohBqcQ4sZ3n7RNVRBc-jHUUOPlz5AeD4XD_VShRZGU5fXlATxH2giMnjXlTg7uQuh8RSnrZYCvK3O0/s1600/shadows-of-umbria-detailnqmC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkm73Now_PcoiLJrsyC6hAPc5sQH1MCAEecQuNOEgHho-sG9K-ohq0D0MvCqz9uohBqcQ4sZ3n7RNVRBc-jHUUOPlz5AeD4XD_VShRZGU5fXlATxH2giMnjXlTg7uQuh8RSnrZYCvK3O0/s320/shadows-of-umbria-detailnqmC.jpg" width="257" /></a></div>
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<b><i>"Shadows of Umbria" detail; machine quilting in mud is delicious!</i></b></div>
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Diane Gaudynskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15164789327167957184noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348163707540787409.post-23619013998072880542016-12-21T16:13:00.000-06:002016-12-21T16:13:00.457-06:00Season's Greetings <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0mPQL2fMUP9okxml6CVY4V8oFZf_MvXMFwmZY4w11WVGvrF9TN1MyYC5DKYjD9bBu4O5WMk4D2_6-7tqpJXXKccJPmVcrhw_iFmAgjRJaR65ykTZyUkhQzAsl15-LKQvrHdS2nvG6XI/s1600/1216161758a-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0mPQL2fMUP9okxml6CVY4V8oFZf_MvXMFwmZY4w11WVGvrF9TN1MyYC5DKYjD9bBu4O5WMk4D2_6-7tqpJXXKccJPmVcrhw_iFmAgjRJaR65ykTZyUkhQzAsl15-LKQvrHdS2nvG6XI/s400/1216161758a-2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<i>This humble little tree is lighting our home with birds, nests, and crystal, tempting Oliver and bringing Christmas joy and peace. It has been put away for several years, but Oliver is now mature and only gently touches the crystal ornaments and watches them move and reflect the lights, and he doesn't seem to notice the birds perched here and there or some of the fallen nests from storms brought in to save and treasure. Perhaps if the birds actually moved he would start stalking them!</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih114wueuk25bm9l2Tpfj7K6LnBMY5-5Ivd1QksGGaEQ4npnRWbDQJxiQPCRoGzEOKxvDFXFZ2iQq2W0JOlhwXC4wF_KE4fViKXfKd2mk2lbS9YmodnHzmutBIM4BNRhffkbBnJaOhOqM/s1600/birdtreenest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih114wueuk25bm9l2Tpfj7K6LnBMY5-5Ivd1QksGGaEQ4npnRWbDQJxiQPCRoGzEOKxvDFXFZ2iQq2W0JOlhwXC4wF_KE4fViKXfKd2mk2lbS9YmodnHzmutBIM4BNRhffkbBnJaOhOqM/s400/birdtreenest.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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We've had snow, mountains of it, and frigid temps, but are happy to be snug and warm inside. I've been cleaning, decorating, and baking just a few big yummy oatmeal cookies. I have long since stopped doing anything fancy, and keep it simple and delicious. </div>
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Below is another look at my Delectable Mountains wall quilt, showing some of the quilting and the richness of the colors. I like the heavy old rose sateen as a background color, but the fabric weight was a bit much for the lightweight piecing fabrics. The large triangles are a rich mud color hand dyed sateen so there was quite a bit of weight in the piecing junctions. </div>
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I quilted the backgrounds with gold silk thread (not metallic) and that added an overlay of rich color to offset the cool rose in the fabric.....I like it! I did do a sample with matching rose thread and it sort of died and looked flat and lifeless. There is nothing, repeat, nothing like quilting a sample with your choices before beginning on the actual quilt. It has saved me from making major mistakes so many times.</div>
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Oliver is helping me with all this exciting activity, and his favorite new thing is my lovely Polar Bear snow globe, a mother and two cubs. </div>
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I've always loved snow globes but never found one that was just right. This one jumped into my line of sight recently while I was shopping for something entirely different (probably something way too practical to recall), and it enchanted me. I didn't realize until I had it a few days and tipped it over to read about it that it had a key on the bottom, which I turned and now can hear Silent Night tinkling away as the bears sit in a whirlwind of snow. </div>
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At first Oliver watched the bears, then checked out the snow when I shook it, and finally the music, and now simply sits and watches, enjoying it. He is a gentleman of a cat.</div>
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<i>Thank you all so very much for the incredible comments on my last post; they warm my heart and make me realize anew how special an experience I had as a quilt teacher. </i></div>
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<i>May your holidays be happy and bright, the New Year everything you wish it to be. Peace,</i></div>
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<i>Diane</i></div>
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<br />Diane Gaudynskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15164789327167957184noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348163707540787409.post-20367113971790708012016-12-08T19:07:00.000-06:002016-12-08T19:07:12.110-06:00Winter's Silence<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>It is that time of year again, when the darkness of winter nears, the silence is all around. Oliver waits at the windows for birds, and the festive lights of houses begin to glimmer and celebrate the holiday season. Flocks of huge wild turkeys visit at least once a week, and the heavy feeling in the air means snow is on the way.</i><br />
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It has been a long time since I visited this blog; my days have been filled with things other than quilting, but recently my interest in it was nudged just a bit by several things. In June I was asked to appear on a new Wisconsin Public Television program, "Treasured Quilts of Wisconsin." Nancy Zieman of "Sewing with Nancy" hosted it, and she also invited me to be a guest on her program in the Nancy's Corner segment, below. <br />
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After the taping the crew gathered around me to look closely at my quilt and ask me excited questions. It was so fabulous to see these young people so amazed with quilting, so interested in everything! Plus, it was a joy to work once again with Nancy. Our conversation takes place in her <i><b>Sewing With Nancy</b></i> program <i style="font-weight: bold;">"Patchwork Patterns Inspired by Antique Quilts with Julie Hendricksen." </i>It has aired recently and will re-run nationally for three years.<br />
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The quilt I was holding is "Delectable Mountains," below. Quilted with YLI Sparkle thread (silk and metallic), it still gives me shivers when I remember how difficult it was to do, how it was tossed onto the UFO pile for a long time, then I persevered and finished it, only to have the hand dyed mud color bleed in the center of the quilt, ugh. In the interview Nancy mentioned my use of color, especially my term for dull fabrics (below in the large triangles) that I called "mud." </div>
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It never made it to the auction, I made a different and better quilt with the challenge fabrics. I had this poor little quilt hanging with the back showing for a long time, and finally tried it with the front to the front, and can look at it without reliving the agony of piecing and quilting it. The monstrously thick seam joins with very heavy sateen caused some minor breakage in my presser foot assembly, springs flying or dropping every now and then, repair shop needed. But....it's probably good for the soul to have to suffer through a project every now and then!</div>
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It also took me awhile to brace myself and watch the television shows I was in. I was afraid I had said "ummmm" too much, or started every sentence with the usual Wisconsin "yah".....but no, all was well, and the editing took care of my wandering thoughts. It was not easy "talking quilts" again after several years of retirement, but I found it all came back quickly and easily. </div>
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This led to trying some quilting and I have to say even though my sewing room was a storage room and had boxes and stuff piled everywhere, I found my machine, and can still quilt well, and it felt good and looked beautiful. Now I have to consider what I want to make, some small project that will let me experience that lovely contentment and joy that machine quilting can give. </div>
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I'm teaching quilting to a great-niece, such a delight, and Oliver has had near escapes and great cat adventures, plus I'm still going through years of accumulated quilt things. I found a fun article I wrote on color for Quilter's Newsletter Magazine a long time ago, and will share that with you soon, especially since Nancy Zieman brought up the whole MUD thing!</div>
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I think of so many of you often, the quilters, the classes and things that happened, the travel and the places quilting took me. Going through my years of memorabilia has brought back so many lovely memories. Stay warm, and more soon,</div>
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<i><b>Keep quilting! Your work gets better every day,</b></i></div>
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<i><b>Diane </b></i></div>
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<br />Diane Gaudynskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15164789327167957184noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348163707540787409.post-87614141657734522982015-09-10T10:37:00.001-05:002015-09-11T09:31:57.160-05:00Sifting and Winnowing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>Labor Day has passed, and finally there is some cool fall air, rainy days, perfect for cleaning the sewing room, sorting through mountains of "stuff," and tackling the stash. I will do a little a day so my back doesn't give out, but it is overwhelming. A lifetime of fabric, scraps from quilts, and I hate to admit I have a hard time saying goodbye to any fabric.</i></div>
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However it is time to get organized and make some decisions about all this. Fortunately there are people who need fabric and will put it to good use. My sister is already on her way to a beautiful star quilt that she calls a "stash buster" and more is on the way to her. Every day I feel a sense of accomplishment as a drawer is cleaned, books are sorted and organized and designated for keeping or giving away. Piles are formed, my life in quilting is passing in front of me.</div>
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I found books or magazines that I wondered why I had kept them, and after paging through would find an article I had written or one about me, or a photo of one of my quilts. I had forgotten I wrote so much and said "yes" to so many publications. </div>
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<i>And, I've taken time to pause and read notes from you, quilters I've met in classes, or from quilters I've never met. So many of you took the time to leave me a note at the end of class, give me a little gift, and I've kept them all and treasure them. I love these, and it was so nice rediscovering them.</i></div>
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As I sort the fabrics, and I've only begun, I realize I am still drawn to the same favorites, whether by color, print, or style. I lovingly pick each up and fold it neatly and admire it. Some I do wonder what was I thinking, or why did I buy it, but not many at all. And oh the scraps! Each one brings back the memory of the quilt it comes from, the making of it, the finished result. Most of them I no longer have, so .......should I keep the remnants? Probably not. I must be practical. </div>
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Before I began there were so many stacks and bins and piles of things I couldn't walk into my sewing room, or see the floor. Now the outer hall is clean and tidy (that took a few days) and my room beckons, with shining floor, even a rug for Oliver and a stool by the window for him. I have a new ironing board cover (grey with ivory Diane-shiko), and only three sewing machines. I need to pare that down to two as well. </div>
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The cutting table is clear and has a wall quilt on it resting and getting de-creased. I will hang it soon. It doesn't have a sleeve as the hand sewing with my painful hands was too much so I'll put it up with a few straight pins nailed into the wall. </div>
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I found one sewing pattern I had saved, and it has to be from the 80's when I was still sewing clothes including long riding skirts as shown in this pattern:</div>
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Yikes, the shoulder pads!! I plead Guilty, I wore them. I could whip out a skirt in wool gabardine or silk in about an hour and it fit me perfectly. This pattern was never used; I went up in size and sort of gave up on sewing for myself, but it would work now, so.....I am keeping it. You never know.</div>
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In August Oliver turned six! We went out to eat to celebrate and raised glasses of iced tea to our lovely boy. Despite my shock when our new vet suggested it might be good for him to have some wet food added to his diet, he has taken to it perfectly. He is now NOT a Vegan, but a true carnivore cat, although he does not like any people food except raw veggies and corn silk. He isn't allowed to eat corn silk but he sniffs it out with black-eyed excitement. He is still a little bi-polar and OCD, but that is very typical for a cat.</div>
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He has mellowed a little and is very happy. His thunder purring is amazing, and it's the little things that he loves: both of us at home, clean sheets and the making of the bed, an empty paper bag, Mom washing things in the sink with lots of running water, us keeping to routine, the usual cat pleasures. </div>
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His birthday included a stack of canned cat food with 6 candles atop, and a card from his godparents in AZ, below. He was a happy boy.</div>
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My email is working well again, still haven't tackled new software and a website update, although just getting the software was an accomplishment! </div>
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Many of you are emailing me with questions about quilting, and I try to answer as best I can. I still maintain that with every quilt project you do, you encounter new problems and must come up with a way to work it out. You think you know it all, but you never do. It keeps things interesting.</div>
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<b><i>So Happy Fall and .....keep quilting! Your work gets better every day,</i></b></div>
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<b><i>Diane</i></b></div>
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Diane Gaudynskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15164789327167957184noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348163707540787409.post-86846655534951250032015-07-25T22:58:00.000-05:002015-07-28T14:52:34.605-05:00Remembering Jean Lohmar.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i><b>Tequila Sunrise by Jean Lohmar</b></i></div>
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<i style="text-align: left;">On this beautiful July day while walking outdoors, something in the colors in nature all around me suddenly reminded me of my quilting friend Jean Lohmar who passed away in May. The deep sky blue, the brilliant colors of the flowers, even the dark grey of the parking lot all jumped out and reminded me of Jean's love of color in her quilts. Despite the sunshine I felt a moment of loss and sadness.</i></div>
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<i>In June when I heard the news of Jean's death I was not only saddened but surprised. Jean always seemed ageless, always so energetic and active, planning another quilt with one in progress on her machine. I know many of you who read my blog might have known her too. She was an integral part of the home machine quilting revolution and was a quilter for many years, prolific in exhibiting and teaching, and recipient of many awards and recognition for her work. </i><br />
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Back in the late 1980's I first heard Harriet Hargrave lecture and was beyond excited to try and quilt an entire bed quilt on my home sewing machine. I searched and was able to buy a copy of Harriet's landmark book <i style="font-weight: bold;">Heirloom Machine Quilting. </i>One of my favorite gallery photos included was a traditional quilt called <i style="font-weight: bold;">Spoon River Christmas </i>by Jean Lohmar. I loved it, and made a mental note of her name.<br />
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Some years passed, and with trial and error, hard work and perseverance I succeeded at home machine quilting, entered quilts in many shows, and in 1998 taught my first classes at the AQS Quilt Show in Paducah. One of my students was Jean Lohmar, who also had a winning quilt in the show that year. <br />
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She introduced herself and I grinned and said with excitement: "<b><i>Spoon River Christmas</i></b>!!!" From that moment we were friends, sharing quilting information and ideas, our paths crossing again and again over the years. Jean was a part of my<b><i> Camp Diane, </i></b>and many of you knew her from her programs, lectures and trunk shows, many with her dear friend Millie Sorrells. I always looked forward to Awards Night at Paducah; old friends Jean, Millie, and Marla just might be there!<br />
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Three years ago I was fortunate to see her one-woman quilt exhibit at Wisconsin Quilt Expo in Madision, WI. It was a glorious retrospective, one quilt after another, as Jean always worked hard and when an idea struck, she made and finished a quilt. It was amazing to see them all together like that, quilts that were old friends, some that I had missed in person but had seen in photos.<br />
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Jean and I literally bumped into each other at the exhibit and had a hug, big smiles, and a quick visit, both marveling at how far we had come, how far quilting had come since we had first met. With a smile and wave we said goodbye, always looking forward to another meeting at another quilt event.<br />
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<i>Sadly, that was the last time I saw Jean. I will remember her with happiness and fondness from all the times we were together: Jean smiling, energetic and smart and funny and caring. </i></div>
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<i>Many of you will miss her too, but we have the legacy of her spirit and her work for inspiration, and we will also remember what a true quilting friend she was, a very special lady. She will be missed.</i></div>
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<i>Diane</i><br />
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<i>p.s. I inadvertently first posted a quilt photo of Mildred Sorrells' "Butterfly's Delight" at the top of this post and attributed it to Jean but that was incorrect, and that photo has been removed. I found the quilt photo online under Jean's name but that was not accurate. Sorry for the error, and apologies to Millie. Please play the video below to see a lovely array of Jean's quilts, and enjoy the photo of her award-winning "Tequila Sunrise," above, sent to me by her close friend Marla Yeager. </i></div>
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<i>In Remembrance of Jean Lohmar 1929 ~ 2015</i></div>
For her obituary, please click <a href="http://obituaries.galesburg.com/obituaries/register-mail/obituary.aspx?pid=174951093&fhid=19032">HERE.</a><br />
For a video of her work made by her son, click <a href="https://vimeo.com/115458177">HERE.</a><br />
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Diane Gaudynskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15164789327167957184noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348163707540787409.post-87305784895306972472015-07-20T08:48:00.000-05:002015-07-20T09:40:00.228-05:00Off the Grid<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><i>Photo by Joan Coats</i></b></div>
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Monday greetings to all......I have been living "off the grid" for a few months, some of it totally unintentional! An injury, retirement, and the usual daily "stuff" have all kept me busy and away from quilting. We discontinued our landline and got new smart phones which I do love and I also love no constant phone calls on the landline. However, my website email was dropped due to an office error at my IP, and I didn't know it, so I've missed quite a lot of communications from all this. </div>
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After some phone calls to right the situation, my email is working again, my website is back online, and I purchased some new software so perhaps I will be able to update that once again, and add current tips and info. It's hard for me to believe I've even had a website for so many years. Stay tuned!</div>
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<i>Even when I haven't been quilting, my quilter's eye is seeing the world from a point of view always affected by my love of color and design. The drape and color of Oliver's tail on a magenta pillow, so beautiful, placed just right for the correct proportion, or the colors of the summer sky at dusk, how beautiful. These things remind me of quilts and the delights of working with fabric, thread, color. </i></div>
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Every now and again I browse through my FB page and see the incredible quilts and work so many of you are doing. Quilting is going forward with new ideas and designs and I congratulate all the quilters who are sharing their work and tips and ideas, keeping it all alive. </div>
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<b><i>"Rabbit in Green" 40" Silk wholecloth, Diane Gaudynski 2005</i></b></div>
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Meanwhile, today there is the outside trim on the garage door to scrape and paint, another rainstorm might prevent that though, boxes of old files and papers to sort and prepare for shredding, and some great shows I've recorded on PBS await me this evening. I love the new "Poldark" series.....</div>
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<b><i>Hope all of you can keep quilting! Your work gets better everyday.....</i></b></div>
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<b><i>Diane</i></b></div>
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<b><i>Email: dianequilter@sbcglobal.net or dianegaudynski@gmail.com</i></b></div>
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<br />Diane Gaudynskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15164789327167957184noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348163707540787409.post-68729874275186318232015-04-04T15:04:00.002-05:002015-04-04T15:04:10.163-05:00Spring!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><i>Easter Eggs by Joan Coats</i></b></div>
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<i>From snow and cold to wind, sun, and springtime so fast my head is spinning! Happy Spring to everyone, hope your Easter weekend is wonderful. We are loving NO snow, getting around easily, spring coats....whoever thought it would feel so good to put on a light pretty spring jacket? I thought I was doomed to live in my puffer parka forever. Argh......!</i></div>
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I haven't been quilting, as "other things" took over my life recently. Some eye problems which are doing better now, lunches with friends, getting new smart phones and learning how to use them while trying to activate them, not a recommended procedure. However, I now know my little sweet phone so well, and am glad I finally took the plunge and feel like an adult with my slim cool phone tucked in my purse. It is truly amazing what it can do.</div>
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Then......we got rid of our phone land line! It was scary, but it is very freeing not to have that phone ringing all day, early in the a.m., during meals, during evenings, during showers, drove me crazy. It is blissfully quiet now, and if you must contact me, please use my usual email: dianequilter@sbcglobal.net </div>
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I did have to figure out and hook up our new high-speed internet, but that went well too. I also had to face the spaghetti of cables and wires and confusion behind our tv when the DVR from our cable company just decided to quit working right and wouldn't record. </div>
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Detective work on my part indicated our DVD player sitting beneath the cable DVR was not working, but it was all looped together in a maze of scary cordage. I mapped out all the connections, drew a picture, pulled cables out of the DVD player, re-hooked pertinent cables to the DVR and tv using common sense, and voila, it worked perfectly! Whew......needed some coffee and chocolate after that day.</div>
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It has been stressful but I feel the demands of modern day technology either require someone in your life who does it for you, professionals coming in and doing it and making you feel like the old folks on the sofa, or learning how to do it yourself. I chose the latter and am happy everything is perking along fine.</div>
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Oliver helped us do the taxes one weekend, sat on the calculator, rummaged and messed up the stacks of papers, and finally left to take a power nap upstairs in peace and quiet while we added, listed stuff, and double checked. He is so handsome and gets sweeter every day. He goes in for his yearly vaccination this week so we're not looking forward to that. </div>
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And......we celebrated our 46th wedding anniversary, photo below. I lost all our wedding photos in a house catastrophe over 20 years ago, but last year we got my mother-in-law's photo of us with her other two children, framed and on her dresser her entire life. I dug it out of the cupboard recently as it was so faded I didn't want any more light on it, opened the frame to take a photo with my new phone (fantastic camera and I can edit right on the camera.....who knew???), and there, stuck behind the photo she displayed, was one of my husband Alan and me, faded but not too bad. </div>
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It was 1969 and Edwardian style was in. I had very short dyed dark brown hair after a swimming pool in college turned my light hair a pea soup green. The large cabbage ribbon thing on my head covered most of it! The sleeves and bodice were sheer, and there was a lovely lace applique down the entire center to the hem, with tiny buttons. How young we were, hard to believe we didn't even know it. </div>
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I just finished making this plate of deviled eggs for our grazing day of eating, as we are going out for Easter dinner tomorrow. The card is from a friend who sends me pretty postcards every now and then in the mail, brightening my day each time. This one was left on the counter and I discovered the rabbit's eye was missing after Oliver checked it out. I found it down in the grassy stuff on the card, which fortunately was not eaten. </div>
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Hope all of you are enjoying spring, getting out to spend time at quilt events, and doing some quilting. I hope to get back to my quilting soon and will post some updates on my adventure into working with feed dogs.</div>
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<b><i>Keep quilting! It is the most relaxing meditative thing I have ever done....happy spring,</i></b></div>
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<b><i>Diane</i></b></div>
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Diane Gaudynskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15164789327167957184noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348163707540787409.post-28662244414806163022015-02-16T20:14:00.000-06:002015-02-17T08:51:37.645-06:00A Winter's Pace<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>The days are cold, snow covers the landscape, and the light has changed, coming in at different angles and illuminating old favorites in a new way. It's ok to slow down one's pace, linger with coffee a bit longer, have lunch with a friend, work on no-pressure projects or explore new ideas in your work.</i></div>
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I have been playing at my machine and trying new techniques for fun on these long bright afternoons where it is good to be cozy and warm in my upstairs room, music playing, machine on and back in action. I have re-discovered feed dogs, thick lustrous embroidery threads, and programmed stitches! </div>
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Years ago I included some broderie perse on one of my quilts, <i style="font-weight: bold;">October Morning, </i>a Delectable Mountains pattern with a good central spot that cried out for this vintage technique. I vaguely remember learning how to use my machine, digging out the right foot, adjusting the stitch and tension to get the look I wanted for the fused raw edge applique, and enjoying it very much.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-XtdHWAvyUWGTmY94FDCDFEXtc54bEGLZov34Ow760sJSq3tJfAb3j3WhgDJEJlQMiDpBWgzSL9hXgnXTJ2En4Mwx6oK9lHF486zp-2ZKqkz7v5SjrSD18oGZTIFiKA8I5oM3w6XKQP4/s1600/OMc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-XtdHWAvyUWGTmY94FDCDFEXtc54bEGLZov34Ow760sJSq3tJfAb3j3WhgDJEJlQMiDpBWgzSL9hXgnXTJ2En4Mwx6oK9lHF486zp-2ZKqkz7v5SjrSD18oGZTIFiKA8I5oM3w6XKQP4/s1600/OMc.jpg" height="256" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><i>"October Morning" 1999</i></b></div>
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Now I wanted to try something more modern so I have been using ancient fusible web that was still where I left it in 1999 and watching my needle zig where I wanted it to zag, and saying "oh no!" out loud. Ah, the joys of trying to figure it all out.</div>
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I winged it at first (how <i style="font-weight: bold;">does</i> fusible web work???), then consulted my personal quilt book library and read how various authors recommend doing this. I have lots of info now from art quilts to very traditional formal work, and hope to try some new things tomorrow. I have enjoyed rediscovering how to do this and who knows where it may lead. Broderie Perse? Coneflowers? Tiny circles? One thing I know is I must buy some fresh fusible web before doing anything more.</div>
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Meanwhile, my bit of advice is if you never try something you will never really for sure know if you <u>do</u> like it or not, if you <u>can</u> do it or not, if it has some promise for wiling away an afternoon or two......and to include it in a future quilt, or not.</div>
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Hope you had a chocolate or flower-filled Valentine's Day.....and I have so loved hearing from so many of you in comments or emails. It's good to be back.</div>
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<b><i>Keep quilting, your work gets better every day,</i></b></div>
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<b><i>Diane</i></b></div>
<br />Diane Gaudynskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15164789327167957184noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348163707540787409.post-16465074768514204682015-02-04T15:40:00.000-06:002015-02-04T15:40:51.407-06:00Celtic Bubbles as Background<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5DOi-_DxfL9t_a7ntIs51nPNQp6hbsYN84LU4LN2cXKiUdzMAvAG_nos14hj__zaTnDCtrdiHmW0Hd3Hk6gKKbu1U4L2FpzOcU__cfzOT_CN3AV49sNNnPSfo6MBVD-QlKWSgw0blz9Q/s1600/celticbubblesgreen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5DOi-_DxfL9t_a7ntIs51nPNQp6hbsYN84LU4LN2cXKiUdzMAvAG_nos14hj__zaTnDCtrdiHmW0Hd3Hk6gKKbu1U4L2FpzOcU__cfzOT_CN3AV49sNNnPSfo6MBVD-QlKWSgw0blz9Q/s1600/celticbubblesgreen.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>I have been practicing Celtic Bubbles around a flower I quilted several years ago to see if I liked making this design smaller to use as a background, rather than as a design in itself with the lines spaced farther apart in each spiral. </i></div>
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Here you see how the design nestles around the large simple shapes of the flower, and it wasn't too hard to do. The ruler gives you a guide as to the size of the quilting, the flower, and the background spacing which is a scant 1/8". It is time consuming, but then so are tiny bubbles or pebbles, stippling, little bananas, any closely spaced background technique. </div>
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When I taught this design<i><b> I always suggested beginning with a scant 1/4" spacing,</b></i> something your brain is so good at estimating from doing piecing, and continue with this spacing until you have mastered the technique. It is by far the easiest spacing for almost everyone, and the easiest to do on a home machine with limited space. </div>
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When you feel confident, then try some bubbles with decreased spacing, or make them larger, whatever is your inclination. Keep in mind it is far easier to quilt large circles, with more space between the lines of stitching, on a longarm machine than a home machine. It is easier for me to go smaller on my home machine than bigger, always. So keep that in mind. However, some quilters naturally tend towards larger designs and spacing, some do better small scale.</div>
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What I like about doing these spirals is they begin in the center and are so controlled as you quilt. I never felt like things were getting away from me, but I could go fairly fast too the bigger the spiral became. Doing the same shape/technique over and over really helps you improve quickly and gain confidence. It goes faster than you would think and stays interesting for you, never boring.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQvv1qbaUabM_ESnHPMeqkLxgeokxwMm_w1ujnBuHTtY-2FR64U20NutBK3bi6oZ3y26F5D8v2ha9gQEsYjgcAqnGr1M12EdOJJ9yxfQ5-L1BvE4nsmXzjQBzP93p-CrDL6iyqK7ilLMo/s1600/celticbubblesgreen2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQvv1qbaUabM_ESnHPMeqkLxgeokxwMm_w1ujnBuHTtY-2FR64U20NutBK3bi6oZ3y26F5D8v2ha9gQEsYjgcAqnGr1M12EdOJJ9yxfQ5-L1BvE4nsmXzjQBzP93p-CrDL6iyqK7ilLMo/s1600/celticbubblesgreen2.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
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One reason I find it fun to do is that each spiral shape has to bump into something already quilted and you have to resolve the design so it looks layered, looks as if it is peeking out from behind the flower, feather, another spiral, etc. It isn't hard to do this, but takes control to slow down as you approach a line of stitching, stitch over it to get to the point where the next round of the spiral should appear. </div>
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This control makes the design look very precise and intricate, gives it the "wow" factor. If you are sloppy and just mush things in or miss your travel stitching the design becomes just lines and stitches and you lose the clarity of the floating spirals all layered in the background.</div>
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For the tutorial on <a href="http://dianegaudynski.blogspot.com/2013/03/celtic-bubbles-tutorial.html" target="_blank">Celtic Bubbles</a> please see this earlier <a href="http://dianegaudynski.blogspot.com/2013/03/celtic-bubbles-tutorial.html" target="_blank">blog post.</a></div>
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<b><i>Some things I discovered:</i></b></div>
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<li>If there are little nooks and crannies, long skinny spaces, odd spaces where it would be exceedingly difficult to add arcs or continue the spiral design, <b><i>simply fill these with echo quilting, small bubbles or pebbles, tiny stippling. </i></b>As I echo the focal point quilting (here, the flower) I filled in some of these odd areas as I went. <i><b>The last echo of the design will be with the color thread used for the Celtic Bubbles so traveling will not show.</b></i></li>
<li>Begin at the center of each spiral, being careful not to start too far from another bubble or something you'll bump into. If you do start too far away, the spiral will become very large indeed, and more difficult to do, and will stand out from the others. However if you want larger and fewer spirals, the farther away you start one from a completed one, the bigger it will become.</li>
<li><i><b>Speed is important to keep your control. </b></i> I begin with a nice even slower speed to establish the circle shape, then speed up the machine to keep up with my hands as they go faster to keep the big smooth circles going well. <i style="font-weight: bold;">If you speed up your hands to make the larger arcs, the stitches will get way too big if you don't speed the machine too. </i>If stitches start out very small and get very large by the last circle it means your machine was not keeping up with your hands. Work on it and it will become natural to speed up the machine to keep up with your hand movement so you get smooth spirals from the center all the way out.</li>
<li>I seem to do my Celtic Bubbles counterclockwise. I don't know what that means......! But, it just feels natural.</li>
<li>You can gradate the sizing of these and begin with larger ones, with greater spacing, then slowly decrease their size and the spacing. This would give you a more artistic effect, perfect for pictorial quilts or art quilts. Experiment! Try different thread colors on your fabric to see what looks best before you commit.</li>
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I hope you give these a try and learn to love doing them as I do. I wouldn't fill vast spaces with tiny ones, but these work so well in a small area to set off quilting or applique. </div>
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It's a sunny cold day here in Wisconsin, with more snow from overnight, and Oliver is sleeping on the bed near me with spiked fur on the top of his head from the faucet water running off his head as he drank. I usually remember to smooth it down, but it has dried into hard spikes, the punk cat look. He is such a sweetie.</div>
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<b><i>Keep quilting! A little bit every day is a very good thing.</i></b></div>
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<b><i>Diane</i></b></div>
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<br />Diane Gaudynskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15164789327167957184noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348163707540787409.post-31937485284722234702015-01-30T09:23:00.000-06:002015-01-30T09:23:00.778-06:00Libby's Log Cabin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://blog.modafabrics.com/category/fabrics/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ogESp9M8RgrfBWRyHeYu8HDZi9nF0HIyJksyS4FKE7gLqOFDGqJZNFcAoloWAxR9VMlGQKHcLzJJ5dtyyn7-o74E_7QQS7eX4tGAccDhbchAkhMD7ibQSAut0FVbyREbop3clgcC2zo/s1600/Libbys-Log-Cabin.jpg" height="400" width="306" /></a></div>
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If you love this quilt and would like a chance to help with Libby Lehman's medical expenses you can make a donation to her medical fund and be entered in the <b><i>February 13th</i></b> drawing for this quilt. Marianne Fons made this classic and beautiful log cabin quilt to help raise funds for Libby and will pull the winning entry out of a hat! </div>
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Please go to the page on the <a href="http://blog.modafabrics.com/category/fabrics/" target="_blank">Moda website</a> <a href="http://blog.modafabrics.com/category/fabrics/" target="_blank">http://blog.modafabrics.com/category/fabrics/ </a> to read Libby's story and see the all the details. It's a great way to use our love of quilting and show our love for Libby.</div>
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<a href="http://blog.modafabrics.com/category/fabrics/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZZZQT_Lp9ht-T1D8UwhEPNZyNMhcgIRTo0Tq4swxAdi7Q4-1bGN6GUnaZ8aebbfEw5_YwrU-Xis1B0gzFBd6w1p_M1suIdDb91hmcy70DbltKB1F5VxYoBjkr3TtEZyw42Fk868b5hd8/s1600/Libbys-Log-Cabin-Flat-403x500.jpg" height="400" width="321" /></a></div>
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<b><i>"Libby's Log Cabin" by Marianne Fons, 60" x 75"</i></b></div>
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<i>Thanks again for all your wonderful comments since I started posting again on my blog, and I hope to post more quilting info soon. Meanwhile.....</i></div>
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<i><b>Keep quilting! Your work gets better every day!</b></i></div>
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<i><b>Diane</b></i></div>
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Diane Gaudynskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15164789327167957184noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348163707540787409.post-81355137507863097392015-01-26T14:16:00.001-06:002015-01-26T16:57:17.923-06:00Practice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><i>Prototype for mini quilt "Return to Provence"</i></b></div>
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I have been quilting a little every day. I am practicing, warming up, getting back in routine. Sometimes it seems impossible to get it all right, the way it used to be, but it is coming along nicely. </div>
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The sample, above, was an unfinished prototype to try out design, fabric, threads for a mini quilt I made for the AAQI online auction almost two years ago, the last quilt I made, made with silk fabric and quilted with silk and metallic/silk threads. I found this unfinished prototype after many hours of practicing, and decided to try and complete it, see if my "new" quilting looked good enough to merge with my previous quilting.</div>
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Happy to say Yes! My quilting blended in perfectly, I had no trouble at all replicating the designs, scale, and quality from two years ago. I am ready for a new project, and have been digging through books, fabrics, sketches made, samples quilted, notes here and there. I will begin with something small on fabric I love. I am still deciding.</div>
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While I was practicing and it all came back to me I realized that many of you have to do this often. You are interrupted in projects, you have illness or injury or moves or crises that keep you from quilting. Maybe you have long fabulous vacations or travels where you never even think of a sewing machine, but want to pick up with quilting when you can. </div>
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<i><b>First, be assured it does come back, and it comes back fast. </b></i> I had stiff sore fingers and hands briefly at the beginning, and sore shoulders from sitting with tense muscles as I was so not relaxed. But, each day I relaxed more, muscles were better and more limber, and everything fell into place. I have to use my left hand for a few things due to a bad right thumb, but now I am used to that too. </div>
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<b><i>Some things that I discovered while practicing:</i></b></div>
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<li><b><i>Muscle memory is a wonderful thing. </i></b> Even if years go by, your body will remember how to quilt, your brain knows what to do, it simply needs you doing it to get it back. Repetition, correcting errors, then repeating it the right way until it flows easily and is natural.</li>
<li><b><i>Use the right needle! </i></b> I started quilting and didn't realize I had done some alterations on jeans or something, or sewn on a knit fabric, and had a #80 Universal needle in the machine, not my usual #60 Microtex Sharp. I was having no end of ugly quilting until I realized that oops, needed a better needle. I was practicing at first with #50 Aurifil cotton thread on a muslin sandwich with wool batt, and cotton batt in the other half from some sample done for a class. I used a #70 Sharp needle and it looked a ZILLION times BETTER, and as a result of my work looking better all due to the right needle, my quilting improved and I relaxed.</li>
<li><b><i>Cleaning and oiling the machine </i></b>was necessary even though I hadn't used it for awhile. It made a happy purr after all this, and I sewed on some folded cotton and used feed dogs to warm it up before I tried quilting. </li>
<li><b><i>Work up to the hard stuff.</i></b> Start practicing with some simple wavy lines, echo them, or do a motif you can do in your sleep. Then add some challenges, like trying to fit the background motif around an actual design. </li>
<li><b><i>Play with thread colors,</i></b> use some pretty fabrics for practice, and the correct tension and needle. This all makes a huge difference; if your work looks nice as you practice, it makes you a better quilter.</li>
<li><b><i>I had to slow down the motor speed </i></b>on my zippy Bernina. I usually don't, and love its power and responsiveness, but because I was so out of practice I needed to shut it down to 3/4 power so I didn't tromp on the foot pedal and quilt 50 stitches, in one spot, in one second. Sometimes even now when beginning to quilt each day I will slow the motor and later when I am warmed up put it back to full power and rely on my foot to get the speed right and be IN CONTROL.</li>
<li>I almost forgot to add <b><i>The Slider</i></b> so my quilt moved easily under the needle. I didn't use it the first few days and kept thinking that this was harder than I remembered, my stitches weren't even, and it jerked and stuck when I tried to move the quilt. Whoa, put the Slider on, and everything was easy again, like moving the quilt on ice.</li>
<li>When I was quilting the muslin sandwich for awhile I thought there was something wrong with my machine, the noise was so loud when the needle went through the quilt. Then I noticed I was quilting in the area with the cotton batt, not the wool batt. It was noisy, the puff of the design was very low and flat, and it was stiff and more difficult to move. <b><i>Oh yes, now I remembered why I like wool batt.</i></b></li>
<li>I am glad I have lots and lots of samples to look at, things I've quilted for classes, articles, myself just to see how something would look. It really helps to have something to see to get ideas going again. <b><i> Inspiration is all around you.</i></b></li>
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<li><i><b>Don't be afraid to make something again,</b></i> something you made once and loved, but try the same pattern or motif in a different color or fabric. I might make the mini quilt design part of a larger quilt with a chintz border. It's something I've always wanted to make, something to see and enjoy hanging on a wall in my home. And then too I'd love to replicate some of the quilts I no longer have, like <b><i>"Blossom's Journey,"</i></b> below. I love Trip Around the World and I love the border quilting, so much fun to do, very extemporaneous.</li>
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<b><i>Border Detail, "Blossom's Journey"</i></b></div>
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Meanwhile.....Oliver needed brushing! He was shedding like crazy, and I found a round hairbrush I had tried for blow drying my hair but it pulled way too much of my hair out, ouch. I had to cut that brush out of my hair, ugh. </div>
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Oliver loves being brushed, so after a few days with this brush it was filled with Oliver fur, and I carefully used a comb to remove it from the brush. Gosh it looks just like a great little quilt batt, so I saved it and may add more and give it a try. I shall make Pioneer style Quilt Batt from Oliver! It's softer than wool and we'll see about loft, but very lightweight, like down. And of course I know it is washable...........!</div>
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It is snowing hard here in Wisconsin today, and we are snug and warm at home, time to turn on the machine and see how my quilting is today. I shall have to plan a trip to a quilt shop for the sort of Chintz I need and then begin my new project. I hope the NE storm isn't as bad as they say it will be, and you all stay safe from its danger. </div>
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<b><i>Keep quilting, your work gets better every day!</i></b></div>
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<b><i>Diane</i></b></div>
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<br />Diane Gaudynskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15164789327167957184noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348163707540787409.post-55708351236472061722015-01-12T16:59:00.001-06:002015-01-12T16:59:50.131-06:00Is It Really 2015?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><i>Washing Dishes with Oliver</i></b></div>
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<i>Can I really have missed most of 2014 due to one stressful event after another? Seems to be the case, but I hope to get back to my favorite pursuits in 2015; I have missed quilting and everyone I spent time with in my classes and travels. My very best wishes to all of you and hope this will be a fresh and great start for you as well.</i></div>
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My days have become filled with routine, and mornings are devoted to washing dishes in the morning light, cleaning the kitchen, paying bills, checking email, all with Oliver's help. He loves to get right down in the sink, have a long drink from the faucet, then oversee everything that goes on. He seems to think two retirees are pretty exciting most of the time, but every now and then gives me that look, wondering why we don't have some action around here!</div>
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On New Year's I put away Christmas, the sun came out briefly, and Oliver and I cleaned and bagged and swept and dusted. Oliver loved it, everything was different and new, even old familiar things were in different places. We added spots of color and soft white everywhere, so much fun.</div>
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He checks out the kitchen island, below, to make sure he still has his fresh grass next to the brightly colored pottery. He is looking at all this as if it still should be the familiar Christmas tree and is very wary. Of course, he tried to put his head in the blue pitcher.........</div>
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He did not nap all day, so that evening fell into an exhausted sleep on the couch, content and happy with all we accomplished.</div>
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And then there is quilting and what has become of it; Oliver misses the excitement of the forbidden territory of my sewing room, and I miss it too. Alas, due to health problems and injuries I haven't quilted in a long long time. </div>
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I didn't know if I still could quilt, but a week ago it was time to find out. I spent several days cleaning my sewing room, clearing it out of "stuff" piled everywhere, put all new things on the walls, re-set the clock to the correct time, hung a 2015 quilt calendar, put a new cover on the ironing board, swept the floors that still need washing, and looked around. I felt like a quilter again. It was time to oil my machines and see if they still worked. </div>
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Everything I did, all the things I organized and went through, brought back memories of my quilting and teaching days. I found so many lovely gifts from my students and friends, and yes I keep and treasure all of them. Below are just a few that were on the top of the piles of things to be sorted, all lovely and special to me.</div>
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There will be a major recycling day for me with all the old papers, handouts, magazines, etc., that I have no need of now, but in my mind I was remembering all the wonderful classes, the events, the quilters I have met and worked with over the years. Ah, nostalgia, sweet but sad at the same time.</div>
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My machines worked fine, but definitely needed some TLC. I swabbed, oiled, cleaned, and then ran them with straight stitching and cotton thread for a long time, mindless row after row of beautiful stitching. </div>
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It felt good to settle into my familiar chair, hear the hum of the motor, notice the light scent of sewing machine oil. I had the lights on and the warm pools of light made the room so comforting, a haven on an icy winter day. I knew the next day I would drop feed dogs and give some FMQ a whirl, see if I could still do it, just go for it. </div>
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"Tres rusty" is how I would describe my quilting skills, but oh my, it all came back so quickly it was amazing. I had to stop so that I wouldn't have sore muscles or eyes, but I wanted to keep on quilting some samples I had layered. I did easy things, difficult things, fun designs, demanding work, just to get my brain awake again and the coordination back. I will write more about what I discovered doing this free motion quilting in a future post soon.</div>
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I have quilted each day since then, and yes my hands ached from injuries and problems I've had over the past year or so, but each day they are better. I know if I want to make a quilt it will be a long process, as I must pace myself. But that is fine; I have no deadlines, it is just for me. My work looks as good as ever, even better because now I am not rushed, am more careful and enjoy the slower pace.</div>
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Oliver is so happy, he has checked out all the nooks and boxes, stacks of fabric and old quilts, and now he has developed a nice routine that involves circling the room, sitting on a stool by the window to check the outdoors, then curling up on some quilts in an extra chair and napping away as I do this and that. He is no longer the naughty kitten attacking the thread as it went through the machine, but he still must be watched out of the corner of my eye. He is a dignified but unpredictable 5-year-old.</div>
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When we are done for the day, it is time to make some homemade pizza, try a new dough recipe, and fill the house with spicy aromas until it is time to pop it out of the oven and enjoy the deliciousness of all the flavors and textures. I had fresh spinach and artichokes, and the next one had fresh tomatoes and fresh mozzarella too. So yummy, even Oliver tried some melted cheese.....</div>
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<i><b>More on quilting to come, meanwhile know I am still here, just not teaching or traveling right now, and send you my very best wishes for the New Year and for your own quilting!</b></i></div>
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<i><b>Diane.....and Oliver</b></i></div>
Diane Gaudynskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15164789327167957184noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348163707540787409.post-8037427001484153742014-07-04T01:00:00.000-05:002014-07-04T07:37:43.615-05:00Happy Independence Day America!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>It's the Fourth of July in America, and we celebrate Independence Day with flags, fireworks, barbecues and picnics, family gatherings, and quilts.....! Since the beginning of this country flag quilts or patriotic themed quilts have been created. The history of our country is intertwined with the history of quilting, and today these quilts are as popular as ever. </i></div>
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And instead of fireworks, this postcard arrived! It is from Carolyn in South Africa, and it is an explosion of gorgeous feathers and colors, stunning. Carolyn, I hope you make a quilt using these colors; the feather in real life looks almost illuminated; you made some beautiful color choices with fabric and threads. </div>
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When I get these in the mail I see them outdoors first by the mailbox and I can't even begin to tell all of you how spectacular they look, and how they take my breath away. Thank you all for working so hard and sending me these beautiful "mini quilts"!</div>
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<b><i>Happy 4th to all my quilting friends, enjoy the day.</i></b></div>
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<b><i>Diane</i></b></div>
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<br />Diane Gaudynskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15164789327167957184noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348163707540787409.post-84155638831121648292014-06-30T13:43:00.002-05:002014-07-01T08:33:04.930-05:00More Treasures Arrived....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The mail has brought me three new postcards from the Free Motion Challenge participants, and I am showing them here to share the wonderful creativity, colors, variety and style they all have. The card above is from Martha Briese in Lebanon OH or OR, can't quite read the postmark and both of these states have towns named Lebanon! It is so lovely with the thread work, shading of the feathers so they really stand out, and the added delicacy of the very tiny pearls in the spine. A wow, for sure.</div>
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This rich green feather came from Brigitte Rosetti in Switzerland, wonderfully traditional, nicely done branching. I think it looks so similar to feathers I've seen on some very old hand quilted quilts, and nice the way the feathers touch and eliminate the need for background quilting between branches. Pretty!</div>
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Another soft purple card with an artistic frayed edging that really sets off the feather and the colors. This one is from Wendy Welts in the UK. Here the thread colors really add to the exuberance of the feather design, making it much more contemporary looking. Nice!</div>
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Thanks to all of you, especially for the messages you included on the backs of the cards. I enjoyed sharing my techniques with you and am so happy you are all feathering away and quilting a design that is as unique and individual as you are. </div>
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<b><i>Keep quilting, your work gets better everyday.....</i></b></div>
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Diane Gaudynskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15164789327167957184noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348163707540787409.post-72302240437401876482014-06-23T12:42:00.002-05:002014-07-01T08:44:06.139-05:00Little Treasures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i><b>Lately the most delightful surprises have been appearing in my mailbox! Quilted postcards from far-off places, feathers that are beautiful, messages and drawings on the back that touched my heart have arrived, all showing me the spectacular results of my tutorial for <a href="http://www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">SewCalGal's</a> Free Motion Quilting Challenge! They are truly an unexpected delight. </b></i></div>
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The first one, above, appeared in a stack of bills and sale fliers, hidden away, and when I sifted through the stack I almost yelped when the colors, texture, beautiful feather in the postcard were revealed, WOW! This one is from Tina Gilly in Pensacola, FL, USA, and I thought it was a "group thank you" card......until......gasp.....another one arrived!</div>
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Postcard #2, above, is done on a champagne colored silk, and is the only one that picked up some smudges from the mail sorting machines. It is lovely, and is from Liz Gates in New Zealand. I shall try and clean it. Great pearls in the spine!</div>
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Then there was a bit of a pause, until the THIRD one arrived! Below, a beautiful feather from Marelize Ries in South Africa, quilted with a shimmery silk thread in a soft teal on a deep teal fabric, love the color choices, which look deeper and more mysterious in real life.</div>
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On the same day, a fourth card also arrived, this one in a tiny striped fabric and accented with coloring to make it visible. It's tough quilting feathers on print fabrics, but yet we tend to use many prints in our work, so using art supplies to highlight them is a good option. Below, card #4 from Dorothy Matheson in Texas, USA.</div>
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Then some time passed and I thought that might be the end of feathers-in-the-mail, but no! Postcard #5 appeared, below, a beautiful feather variation with curls in each feather and a string of "pearls" on the spine, very nice. It is from Alice Ridge in Virginia, USA.</div>
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And.....the next day.........Postcard #6 was delivered by my now admiring mail woman, who probably wonders why, how, what are these beautiful things!!! It is on the loveliest citron shade of fabric, quilted with chartreuse thread, so pretty. Thanks to Barbara Crumpton in Malaga, Spain for this one!</div>
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When you look at all of these feathers and quilting styles, it is the way it was for me as a teacher to go from student to student in class and see all the differences in work, how each feather is unique to the quilter, much like our handwriting. Even if feathers were traced using a stencil, same one for each person, the results would vary, reflecting the style of quilting and of course color choices with threads and fabrics. You are the artist here and you make these a reflection of yourself in quilting.</div>
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<i>I am so pleased that so many used my tutorial and learned on their own, without verbal help or even videos, without a teacher there to help with any problems. You all forged on yourselves and came up with amazing results, and I am very proud of each of you. Thank you so much for the postcards, they will become a treasured collection for me. </i></div>
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Summer is here, but it has been gloomy, damp, dank, cloudy, rainy, icky here. My hands stick to the laptop, the dishes do not dry in the rack. We entertain ourselves with bird seed on the front step, which I did for the birds all winter, but now for the rabbits, chipmunks, and squirrels, as well as the occasional sparrow. They feed every morning, oblivious to Oliver peering with killer intent through the glass, tail thrashing. Ah, the life of retirees.....</div>
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Geeky tip: I am now used to Windows 8, no problems at all, fast and easy now that I have figured out its rather convoluted ways. I use Google Chrome for my browser and like that better than IE. I set the zoom on my new HP laptop at 150% to view my blog, and at 125% for all other pages with no problems and bigger everything for these older eyes. </div>
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<i><b>Hope you enjoy seeing these quilting samples, and are inspired to get back to working on your own quilting, making it better every day.............!</b></i></div>
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<br />Diane Gaudynskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15164789327167957184noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348163707540787409.post-2580904309535989552014-04-13T09:54:00.002-05:002014-04-13T10:26:29.264-05:00Spring!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<em><strong>We have survived the dreadful winter and finally are seeing some signs of spring: robins, a touch of green in the dead lawns, a tiny crocus sprout poking through dead leaves. And Mr. Chipmunk, up from hibernation, eating bird seed by the front door. Mr. Oliver is riveted, tail thrashing, body tense, for hours. He sleeps in the evening, exhausted.</strong></em></div>
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I haven't posted about quilting for awhile as I was coping with a very sick husband, and then while caring for him had an injury to my right hand which kept me out of commission for awhile. All is well now, and this all happened during the polar vortex in February, the snows, and the daily treks to the ER or the hospital or the outpatient center kept me more than busy. </div>
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My hand emergency was a very bad burn that happened while placing a beef roast in a big pan with hot oil in the bottom. It stuck on the pan's side as I was lowering it in, the oil was too hot as I had set the heat too high when distracted, and the meat bounced into the oil with my hand down in the pan. The hot oil splashed up and covered my thumb and the first two fingers. </div>
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I rinsed my hand in cold water, and we immediately went to the ER for treatment. The burns were second degree, fortunately not worse. I was so thankful for the excellent care and the pain meds! </div>
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Two days later with my huge bandaged hand I went to the regional burn center for specialized treatment. It looked very bad when the bandage came off, but they used a new method of covering the burn with a foam material saturated with silver. No ointment or antibiotics, just this wrapped onto my hand for one week. </div>
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I became very creative in doing things with my left hand, along with the last two fingers on my right hand, all without getting the hand wet. After a week they removed this material and the bandages and it was miraculously back to looking like my hand, only very red where the oil had burned it. No pain, just a little itchy feeling as the skin peeled and replaced itself. We celebrated with a meal out on the way home, yay. Even the burn center people were amazed at how well it all worked.</div>
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My hand is fine now, it gets quite red and glowing sometimes, but it is ok. I was very fortunate to live near very good medical care. </div>
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Spring is arriving, birds are singing in the morning, and I've been doing some sorting and winnowing and cleaning, Oliver loves to help me. He was so worried when my hand was bad, slept next to me with his paw on my shoulder, and purred. Soon we will go into the forbidden sewing room and crank up the machines and see if they still work. </div>
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I've enjoyed your emails and news on Facebook, and one email in particular I'll share with you soon, all about a technique I never heard of called "ghost quilting." </div>
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A friend told me about a new product that erases blue lines from the washout blue liners without water. I'll dig up that link and post it too, although you all probably are aware of this already, ha. </div>
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The quilt show at Paducah is just around the corner, best of luck to all who have quilts there, and hope everyone has a great week there. I won't be going this year, but will be checking online to see what's happening. I'll miss it!</div>
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<strong><em>Wishing you all successful quilting and a happy Spring!</em></strong></div>
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<strong><em>Diane</em></strong></div>
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<br />Diane Gaudynskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15164789327167957184noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348163707540787409.post-14125589907919351892014-01-25T16:21:00.003-06:002014-01-25T16:21:38.467-06:00Windows<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We are still in the Polar Vortex, like much of the country. Last Sunday we had balmy temps of 30 degrees, sun, no snow, no wind. We fled the house on a wonderful visit to nearby Wauwatosa, WI, suburb of Milwaukee for a dinner out. We walked down a charming street filled with small businesses and shops, and I stopped in amazement to see two big old-fashioned store front windows in a dry cleaner's store filled completely with pots of geraniums, blooming, growing, blossoming in the afternoon sun.</div>
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What a complete treat, a luxury to behold in the middle of the frozen winter with sun once a week if we are lucky, and snow and cold almost every day. The flowers must have been on the sidewalk outside for all of last summer, and then brought in to flourish through the winter in the windows. The owner saved them, loved them enough to keep them going thru the winter and let us, those who walked by or came in for business, delight in their beauty. All those shades of pink, rose, red, white! </div>
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Note the gloomy, snowy, bleak landscape behind me in the photo, and our reflections too, all bundled up, trudging along. Sigh.</div>
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We saw a mini library outside too, next time I'll get a photo of that, they are so charming. The old shoe store but with modern Clark's in the window, and real moccasins, love that one too. The chocolate shop, the bakery with incredible confections. Then we arrived at Balistreri's Italian restaurant, one of our favorite local places, for yummy pizza. We experienced Christmas all over again with the holiday décor, and spent a very enjoyable time, eating delicious thin crust melt-in-your-mouth real pizza. </div>
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We're headed to way below zero again, and the icy ferns on my window will reappear, just another winter window for me to enjoy. </div>
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I think I spoke too soon about enjoying the treasure hunt in my new Windows 8 computer, eeeeek! I am finding it so frustrating not to get my old menus, not to be able to easily find and do things, but it is getting better as I conquer this. I do like the slide shows of the photos from the App screen, much like those in tablets.</div>
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I reached my breaking point last week trying to print a coupon for the office store. It was a pdf attachment and showed on a black screen. No matter what, no menu, no right click, no way to say "PRINT." Finally I read the Help topics and did a Screen Shot, saved it, and could print that from the little file folder system on my taskbar. Well, it printed the entire black APP screen plus the coupon, which I did take with me to show my tech guy and ask how to do it. He didn't know, and they all laughed at my using half an ink cartridge to get the coupon........grrrrr. I had to laugh too.</div>
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I figured it out now; I hook up my old Windows 7 Netbook I used for travel, open the email and coupon in that, click Print, and out it comes on white paper, perfect. There must be a better way.........</div>
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Then I get an email from HP telling me they will soon have new laptops with Windows 7! Ah, too late.</div>
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Hope you are surviving winter, it's a bad one for the entire country. I am glad I am not driving to teaching gigs, or the airport at 5 a.m. on dicey roads. </div>
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Today I was organizing my photos, writing an article for American Quilter Magazine, and found the one, below, of my window in the room I often had at Asilomar where I taught for several years. I loved that window. I could relax after class and before dinner and evening events, feel the cool ocean air, smell the Monterey pines, and just "be." </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_pcYQVuHXkZ-Bwnq9mgIYXXPwpdgIC2nzw3HvZ8_5_GDAp47yA2PLYDPJbo8kM-oD1tlJ-rojYeMN45T0MHplMSLFsrOpauUM1oXhWl4iAm7pmYxzoc2UwHArzPGkmnEQxj5QxTKRBRE/s1600/asilomarwindow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_pcYQVuHXkZ-Bwnq9mgIYXXPwpdgIC2nzw3HvZ8_5_GDAp47yA2PLYDPJbo8kM-oD1tlJ-rojYeMN45T0MHplMSLFsrOpauUM1oXhWl4iAm7pmYxzoc2UwHArzPGkmnEQxj5QxTKRBRE/s1600/asilomarwindow.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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Soon I hope to crank up my trusty Bernina and do a bit of quilting. I think Oliver would like to be back in "that room" again, looking out his two front windows, watching the world go by!</div>
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<em><strong>Keep quilting; don't let the cold grey days stop you. Your work gets better every day...</strong></em></div>
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<em><strong>Diane</strong></em></div>
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<br />Diane Gaudynskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15164789327167957184noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348163707540787409.post-49567227970835683312014-01-08T09:45:00.002-06:002014-01-08T09:45:37.511-06:00Happy 2014!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Oliver and I survived the holidays, napped through New Year's, and are now huddled finding warmth in the Polar Vortex that has overtaken the country. Yesterday it was -14 when I took this photo of Oliver in his favorite cardboard box by the front door where he watches and stalks birds and squirrels at the bird seed I put out. </div>
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Today it is supposed to hit zero degrees, and I might venture out for coffee, cat food, and bird seed!</div>
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Happy New Year to all of you, and best wishes for great quilting this year. I hope to get back to giving you some ideas and tips soon. </div>
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I am now working on my brand new laptop (a total impulse purchase for me, not at all typical) and have been rocketed into the new age of all things geeky. Fixing DH's computer, system restores, installing all sorts of things that took forever to get back to normal, including a new WiFi router that gave me fits but is humming away now and not crashing and blinking and melting down - all this has been my daily routine for the past two weeks! My new friends are the guys who help me out in the tech department. The end may be in sight I think. A few loose ends to tie, and I shall be freed from tech stuff.</div>
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It didn't take me long to get used to Windows 8 and I must say I am enjoying the treasure hunt to find where files are now stored, how to do the things I used to do without thinking, but it is all getting very easy and it is fun, not stressful. I still need to get my photo program downloaded and then my old laptop will be cut free, to relax and enjoy its much-deserved retirement. </div>
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And I have Apps. I love my weather App. The background photos look like my view out the window. It can "find my location" and tells me everything and more about my weather. </div>
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I've liked seeing all the holiday quilting projects and photos on Facebook, and pet photos too. I know quilters are busy as always being creative.</div>
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We had our little Charlie Brown faux Christmas tree again, decorated with birds, nests, and real nests blown down in the yard that I have saved over the years. I added clear lights and my collection of crystal ornaments, and it was beautiful.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGJkpdu_RKStH0zwFCmOdMOUMKaPDR0IfO0AyrjZAaXH_q5DYk9jafgG92CKoRt1kAibLdxp5w86Xo_gwYlg8TjkuuCLviQVhAHG7wejLLxkAdPkcJUzqsDkw4P73C1Y3K3OeIhs4N2Rk/s1600/birdtree13det.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGJkpdu_RKStH0zwFCmOdMOUMKaPDR0IfO0AyrjZAaXH_q5DYk9jafgG92CKoRt1kAibLdxp5w86Xo_gwYlg8TjkuuCLviQVhAHG7wejLLxkAdPkcJUzqsDkw4P73C1Y3K3OeIhs4N2Rk/s1600/birdtree13det.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
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Oliver took several days to "notice" that the new thing blocking his view out the window had BIRDS perched in it. Every night at 9:30 he sat on the old Singer treadle next to it and gazed at it for a long time before gently reaching out and swiping one bird or nest off and onto the floor. In the a.m. when I was having coffee he did the same thing. The victims were then placed in the greenery on the mantel, out of his reach. It was a game with us, and he ignored the crystal ornaments and never toppled the tree. He is four years old and has developed civilized sensibilities. </div>
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Below, a hazy photo of him gazing at his tree.</div>
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<strong><em>I hope your year is filled with lights and crystal and wonder, and quilting always. Stay warm......</em></strong></div>
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<strong><em>Diane</em></strong></div>
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Diane Gaudynskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15164789327167957184noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348163707540787409.post-42266721171518434472013-12-03T10:21:00.001-06:002015-01-05T12:47:11.556-06:00Quilting with Digitized Embroidery<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjuoBRB1XXNUipZZhM40pnB8Pev9Kx8xG42vbYFumXA9KoDl64nwgq1s6sqJkQCS31C_0nQI0aApzXU8MFroiAm597Fa0CLL-KZlll2nOpDZkuNy1YyBbv3pZX8nAzQrUMsTjCW8OzQvc/s1600/oesdmegahdet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjuoBRB1XXNUipZZhM40pnB8Pev9Kx8xG42vbYFumXA9KoDl64nwgq1s6sqJkQCS31C_0nQI0aApzXU8MFroiAm597Fa0CLL-KZlll2nOpDZkuNy1YyBbv3pZX8nAzQrUMsTjCW8OzQvc/s400/oesdmegahdet.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<strong><em>Detail from the megahoop design in my "Quilting Whimsy" collection </em></strong></div>
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If you own a home sewing machine that has the capability to do hoop embroidery you also have the capability to do hoop quilting! There are digitized quilting designs available from various quilt artists, and I've seen many quilts using these designs now, beautifully quilted. </div>
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All three layers are positioned in the hoop for the quilting, although I do know one quilter who quilted the designs through the top and a thin batt first, then layered the backing and did simple outlines around the design and any background quilting through ALL the layers. It was easier to do the digitized quilting in the hoop in her home machine with a thin batt and only the top.</div>
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It's easier to do small projects, and larger quilts are better suited if the machine is mounted on a frame system. Smaller quilts are very do-able in your normal set-up, and can give you beautiful ornate quilting that might be hard for you to do with regular free motion quilting. The stitches are even, the traveling is undetectable, designs can be sized, rotated, combined to create your own look. Backgrounds, like the grid below, are done free motion or with a walking foot by you.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNuHBBkSYVq1-YTPlBluygiLDvr0wGc1yzpT-UieKLhY1-I4eDg3ebLxpalLa5AGXasHBk5wtM4Of_OJ7Rr3TJA-8Fh47iSUu8DkLUQVO6IfenWKuMkx1h9HKAmanzko-3I-JfiUpSK6s/s1600/qfancybird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNuHBBkSYVq1-YTPlBluygiLDvr0wGc1yzpT-UieKLhY1-I4eDg3ebLxpalLa5AGXasHBk5wtM4Of_OJ7Rr3TJA-8Fh47iSUu8DkLUQVO6IfenWKuMkx1h9HKAmanzko-3I-JfiUpSK6s/s400/qfancybird.jpg" height="400" width="302" /></a></div>
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<strong><em>Designs from "Quilting Fancy" combined to create this medallion</em></strong></div>
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When I've seen quilts done with my designs that have been digitized I always have to catch my breath, they are lovely. These designs really can add to your quilt's beauty, even if you use only one as a focal point.</div>
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I have two collections of designs available at <a href="http://www.embroideryonline.com/">www.embroideryonline.com</a> under the licensed artists' collections. <a href="http://embroideryonline.com/c-107-diane-gaudynski.aspx" target="_blank"> "Quilting Whimsy"</a> is on sale now, and they have brought back my original collection "Quilting Fancy."</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2tSOui0VfFrNlNQHVcRk4CN3Jy92hUXvluc21gmYGAJ-3YAimG-vy1OFqKtcCC0tSZi6kmZZ5_kgU18GqsPbPJiMPER-ImGrJ-YqolrXaMf9lp4Rx-vPfcMv_qeJFMYcFKbCgdX2K7DI/s1600/qfancyurn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2tSOui0VfFrNlNQHVcRk4CN3Jy92hUXvluc21gmYGAJ-3YAimG-vy1OFqKtcCC0tSZi6kmZZ5_kgU18GqsPbPJiMPER-ImGrJ-YqolrXaMf9lp4Rx-vPfcMv_qeJFMYcFKbCgdX2K7DI/s400/qfancyurn.jpg" height="400" width="320" /></a></div>
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<strong><em>Combined designs from "Quilting Fancy"</em></strong></div>
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These designs were meant for quilting, but look amazing done as "redwork" line design embroidery as well in colored, heavier thread.</div>
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Hope you had a terrific Thanksgiving, and can sneak in some time for yourself and your quilting....or play with digitized quilting..... during this busy time of year.</div>
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<em><strong>Keep quilting! Your work gets better every day,</strong></em></div>
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<em><strong>Diane</strong></em></div>
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<br />Diane Gaudynskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15164789327167957184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348163707540787409.post-88131768037307408682013-11-27T11:42:00.001-06:002013-11-27T11:42:46.738-06:00Thank You....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6J-bxSqi_NfiJa_GbJrJ-yYvonsq_xOE3I08BNstLQpBOnmG6v-MW-eTDnjJLzxjn8o3wJG7FnOGJ_yQM2V1BI-n90F6qoZomF0Gqw1GWEDQ3uhlXIkcnJQxEPJFznt4omX5_kEj45Zg/s1600/oliverthanksgiving.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6J-bxSqi_NfiJa_GbJrJ-yYvonsq_xOE3I08BNstLQpBOnmG6v-MW-eTDnjJLzxjn8o3wJG7FnOGJ_yQM2V1BI-n90F6qoZomF0Gqw1GWEDQ3uhlXIkcnJQxEPJFznt4omX5_kEj45Zg/s400/oliverthanksgiving.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day here in the USA, and we are preparing for a day of delicious food, and a day of giving thanks. </div>
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It is special to set aside a day to think about all we are grateful for, to share it with family and friends, or maybe just a dear little cat. I am thankful for so much, and as I chop veggies, roast the turkey, set the table, I will be thinking of so many of you who have enriched my life beyond compare. </div>
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The people and places of quilting have given me so many memories, funny, exhiliarating, exasperating, heartwarming, all in a very special place in my heart. For that I thank all of you, and wish you the very best Thanksgiving and holiday season, with much to celebrate. Oliver will be helping me cook, especially the Brussels sprouts and yams, as we settle in here in very cold Wisconsin for a yummy meal and look forward to a cozy winter.</div>
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May your day be warm and wonderful, food delicious, friends and family there for you, and memories to be made for the future. Enjoy,</div>
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<strong><em>Diane</em></strong></div>
<br />Diane Gaudynskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15164789327167957184noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348163707540787409.post-3650167749858064922013-11-04T16:24:00.002-06:002013-11-05T17:02:41.667-06:00AAQI Reaches $1 Million!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgPJuXO0TbMxOE7L4FKIeI_-ehzbT3t0vuiaJ7xew6qpCVfCM-zgHJPhBvQbyPQ5LgxJXh7iGiBg2Bk_UB9LnR26mz9jfVXtuj1iIR0Q-xoUG29dAG2BdCTAO2-i3Ip-PZt_vsTzz7kRU/s1600/rickyamialex.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgPJuXO0TbMxOE7L4FKIeI_-ehzbT3t0vuiaJ7xew6qpCVfCM-zgHJPhBvQbyPQ5LgxJXh7iGiBg2Bk_UB9LnR26mz9jfVXtuj1iIR0Q-xoUG29dAG2BdCTAO2-i3Ip-PZt_vsTzz7kRU/s400/rickyamialex.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Congratulations to Ami Simms and her Alzheimer's Art Quilt Iniatiative for reaching the $1 million mark at Houston last week! Above, Ricky Timms and Alex Anderson helping Ami celebrate this remarkable amazing splendiferous achievement!</div>
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I am honored to have had a quilt in the very first AAQI traveling exhibit and book, and now have my second quilt, "Return to Provence" in the Celebrity Invitational Auction at <a href="http://www.alzquilts.org/">www.alzquilts.org</a></div>
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The quilts are made by famous quilters, are so very beautiful, and are the last big chance for all of us to support AAQI and make the final amount raised even higher! </div>
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Special thanks to Ami and her thousands of helpers and volunteers who made this happen, to quilters who made quilts, sold quilts, bought quilts, shipped quilts, helped at the exhibits, did it all. Quilters rock!!!! </div>
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Below, photos of my quilt in the auction, but please buy one that speaks to you; they are all works of art, all special and unique and original. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn2ZVptuMg62YhBsh2xuFw1jy-JZY5NMXmOITHlIrxv72PW0mzfXOSu9ALb9dOBdOdGBP7OyGTRpCsc-GZ4BrjRjyC_EqkOauxRP82mBCK9OfaWU8MYXipuriao66ECSgxnWIHvzHTvWo/s1600/RTP2a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn2ZVptuMg62YhBsh2xuFw1jy-JZY5NMXmOITHlIrxv72PW0mzfXOSu9ALb9dOBdOdGBP7OyGTRpCsc-GZ4BrjRjyC_EqkOauxRP82mBCK9OfaWU8MYXipuriao66ECSgxnWIHvzHTvWo/s400/RTP2a.jpg" width="392" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLChAPpWMPOJ4iTGAJeDKjnVoJauXAbxOlPz_AvvE0YaeWwXFVA6XKCAzYZuuauvYO6jOFoXIUfZBnwbEGc2aNUeh0GGLMk4Ua5xhXQuvgh-8w0hdIncn_IKgWvTwXJBw3yOAvk__Ao3M/s1600/RTPdet2C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLChAPpWMPOJ4iTGAJeDKjnVoJauXAbxOlPz_AvvE0YaeWwXFVA6XKCAzYZuuauvYO6jOFoXIUfZBnwbEGc2aNUeh0GGLMk4Ua5xhXQuvgh-8w0hdIncn_IKgWvTwXJBw3yOAvk__Ao3M/s400/RTPdet2C.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl80tt0-wvQjX31IsfDy885ZpLgCImkLewcAnauqLO5HfvLMBAVrmk32cwx70vDgXCTw5waAWJegjgcSizHFHHbMMMcfx62ISbngc1wRM0qQq-DBeTP8Iox2gx3jPKFZBfF1msxRBGCxg/s1600/RTPdetpennyC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl80tt0-wvQjX31IsfDy885ZpLgCImkLewcAnauqLO5HfvLMBAVrmk32cwx70vDgXCTw5waAWJegjgcSizHFHHbMMMcfx62ISbngc1wRM0qQq-DBeTP8Iox2gx3jPKFZBfF1msxRBGCxg/s400/RTPdetpennyC.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The auction is on now, and runs through 10 p.m. Nov. 10 (I earlier mistakenly said Nov.6). Here is the link for bidding: </div>
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<a href="http://www.benefitbidding.com/auctions/listings/index.cfm?auction=123">http://www.benefitbidding.com/auctions/listings/index.cfm?auction=123</a></div>
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Thank you to all who even consider bidding - all of us who have loved ones, friends, dear people affected by Alzheimer's can't even begin to tell you how much you are treasured for helping this cause.</div>
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<strong><em>Diane</em></strong></div>
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Diane Gaudynskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15164789327167957184noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348163707540787409.post-11887051261352696502013-10-28T12:01:00.001-05:002013-10-28T13:08:29.858-05:00Happy Halloween<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpsgj86zGrLkhptZ_RMfv_FA8dCwZ-hSHPX_KVW8Lp12wuc4VvgBCZCZSbl2rK3dCrwSy2nlk_LiOj2HGPLCs3dHdznyY6nRHaJ0F6aFGDKQdk_g1T0uwidM51vVpw-Umtjn6yyuWa8uM/s1600/batzbelowbat2C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpsgj86zGrLkhptZ_RMfv_FA8dCwZ-hSHPX_KVW8Lp12wuc4VvgBCZCZSbl2rK3dCrwSy2nlk_LiOj2HGPLCs3dHdznyY6nRHaJ0F6aFGDKQdk_g1T0uwidM51vVpw-Umtjn6yyuWa8uM/s400/batzbelowbat2C.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<em>It's that time of year again when pumpkins glow, leaves are flying in the air and rustling in the wind as winter approaches. </em></div>
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Quite a few years ago while quilting on this lovely hand dyed sateen, above, I came back to my machine and discovered many small Dracula type bats looking at me. I had not noticed them when I washed/pressed the fabric, or cut it and layered it, or even when quilting the feathers, but all of a sudden..........there they were! </div>
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I had to make a decision whether to quilt background over them, or give them their space. Not wanting to tempt fate, I decided to outline quilt them and let them have their fun emerging from the bottom feathers with glee and ghoulishness, ha. I named the small quilt <strong><em>"Batzbelow"</em></strong> in their honor and so far all is well. They stay in the quilt, stored in the back room.</div>
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Last week we got a new furnace and AC unit as our old ones were starting to fail with metal fatigue and old age, much like me I think. Oliver had a hard day, lots of banging and clanging, new duct work, two efficient competent guys going up and down noisy stairs and in and out of the house all day. </div>
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He worried for about a week now that they were either a) still in the basement waiting to spring a surprise on him, or b) across the street working on the new roof over there. Everything is now quiet, toasty warm, fabulous. Even my fingers are warm! Oliver's toe pads and nose are PINK. High efficiency heat is VERY nice! </div>
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Can't wait to try the new AC that is 5' tall (really) and the highest efficiency rating and cooling capacity sized for our house that we could get. I hope next summer I will be cool and dry and calm and fabulous instead of hot and sweaty and grouchy and no energy. That is yet to be seen of course.</div>
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Hope you are enjoying the turn of seasons. Below, a photo of "Joy Remembered," a quilt I made last year for the AAQI Celebrity Auction. This year's quilt, "Return to Provence," will be available in this same auction in November. Please visit <a href="http://www.alzquilts.org/">www.alzquilts.org</a> to see all the quilts made by fantastic people to help raise funds to fight this terrible disease. I'll post some photos of it this week so you can think about it before the auction ends. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFAiDtNHZkzn9wi-rGI9QduBdNdpCtcpU_vKrlOVBNJZzskY5uIXC54HRERjCFLF_q4_VuKLSIEeauDJ4UfWuhwiLuQS3PyzkDGZdI57-f3ySxeAmquCcdYSpVWiHtfaUblxTG-p7ujAs/s1600/joyremembereddetC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFAiDtNHZkzn9wi-rGI9QduBdNdpCtcpU_vKrlOVBNJZzskY5uIXC54HRERjCFLF_q4_VuKLSIEeauDJ4UfWuhwiLuQS3PyzkDGZdI57-f3ySxeAmquCcdYSpVWiHtfaUblxTG-p7ujAs/s400/joyremembereddetC.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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<strong><em>Detail "Joy Remembered"</em></strong></div>
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Have fun this Halloween, and if you are like me you better not buy Reese's peanut butter cups for the trick or treaters as there will be leftovers and they are not to be resisted.</div>
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<em>Keep quilting! Your work gets better every day,</em></div>
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<strong><em>Diane</em></strong></div>
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Diane Gaudynskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15164789327167957184noreply@blogger.com4